26 STUDENTS VISIT RUSSELL ISLAND FOR ANZAC SPECIAL COMMEMORATION
A group of 26 school students from France, recently visited Russell Island for several days to be part of our islands Anzac Day services.
The visit was the brainchild of Russell Island singing teacher and choir master, OJ Rushton.
All the young French students are from Ecole College Sainte-Marie from Rouen, a famous cathedral city on the River Seine in northern France.
Located in Normandy, the town is not far from the famous World War 1 battlefields where Australians troops became legendary for turning back the Germans at a critical time in that horrific war.
The French have never forgotten Australia’s contribution and the loss of so many young men. They, too, celebrate Anzac Day in a significant way.
The young students and their teachers have come to Australia and Russell Island in particular under the banner: Two Countries; One World - Sydney-Brisbane-Russell Island.
The visit is in response to a visit to France and the region by OJ and a group of students in 2018.
She has maintained contact and the trip to Australia evolved. It is the first time out of France for most of the students and their teachers.
Whilst on Russell Island, they have been hosted ‘camping style’ at the home of OJ.
OJ told the Friendly Bay Islander: “The island has really come together to welcome our young French visitors.
“They are keen to see how we mark Anzac Day, and they get to enjoy a little of our island lifestyle.”
Whilst here, they attended two Anzac Day services, but also got to experience some island wildlife, AND thanks to the generosity of a number of local sponsors, the students were ablate partake in a number of island activities including barefoot bowls, kayaking, a drumming circle, a day on North Stradbroke Island and of course, singing!
Sponsors, include Russell Island RSL Club, BICSI, SeaLink, Russell Island IGA, Russell Island Bowling Club,, Bay Islands Property and Running Wild.
There was also a special Peace Project concert at the Russell Island RSL with the Bay Island Singers, and a special day on North Stradbroke Island thanks to SeaLink.
Islanders contributed greatly to the visit by the French youngsters.
• The young French students on their way to Russell Island aboard our Sealink passenger ferries.
